Alarm apparatus.



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F. A. LELLESS & J. M. NANGLE.

ALARM APPARATUS.

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FRANK A. LELLESS AND JAMES M. NAN GLE, OF GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

ALARM APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 191 '7.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK A. Lrmn'nss and JAMES NANGLE, citizens of the United States of America, residing at Greensburg, in the county of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Alarm Aplparatus, of'wh'rch'the following is a speci cation.

This invention relates to improvements in alarm apparatu and has particular application to fire alarm apparatus.

In carrying out the present invention, it is our purpose to provide alarm apparatus whereby in the event of fire in a partlcular locality a signal. will be given in such 10- cality and a signal given and annunclator operated at a remote point so .that persons at such remote point will be notified of the conflagration and advised as to the particular place where the fire is present.

It is also our purpose to provide apparatus of the class described which will be found especially useful in hotels, rooming houses and other structures so that in the event of fire in one or more of the rooms a signal will be given in such room or rooms and at the oiiice or clerks desk and an annunclator actuated at the clerks desk ,to notify the clerk of the fire and advise him as to the particular location thereof.

A further object of our invention is to pro vide a circuit closer which,in the event of fire or an abnormal rising temperature, will close the controlled circuit positively and effectively so that the various signals and annunciators will be energized to warn the proper parties. 3

A still further object of our invention 1s to improve and simplify the general constructlon of thermostatically controlled fire alarm apparatus and to provide apparatus of this class which may be manufactured, marketed, installed and maintained at small cost and which will operate efiiciently and effectively for its intended purpose.

"With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth in and falling within the scope of the claim.

In the accompanying drawing;

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of fire alarm apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

' and a signal lamp 3.

the clrcuit closer.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the circuit closer.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a face view of the annunciator.

In accordance with our present invention, we locate in each room or other place to be protected a circuit closing and signal mechanism which, in the present instance, comprises a casing 1 constructed of any suitable material and carrying an electric bell 2 Also located upon the casing 1 is a cut out switch 4 and an emergency switch 5, while disposed within the casing 1 is a suitable source of electrical energy such, for instance, as a storage battery 6. p

In the present instance, a thermostatically controlled circuit closer 7 is connected to the front wall of the casing 1 and projects outwardly therefrom. This circuit closer comprises a base plate 8 to one face of which are fastened spring contact fingers 9 overlying each other and normally spaced apart. Secured to the face of the base plate 8 and disposed above the contact fingers 9 is a circular block 10 formed centrally with a longitudinal bore 11 and slidably mounted within the bore 11 is a plunger 12 provided with a stem 13 projecting through the outer end of the bore 11. In this instance, a disk 14 is secured to the outer end of the block 10 and closes the adjacent end of the bore 11 and is formed centrally with an aperture through which the stem 13 passes. Secured to the disk 14 at diametrically opposite points are the opposite limbs of an inverted U-shaped frame 15 that extends outwardly from the disk 14. Encircling the stem 13 within the bore 11 is a coiled expansion spring 16 having one end abutting the adjacent extremity of the plunger 12 and the opposite end in engagement with the confronting face of the disk 14, such spring acting to force the plunger 12 downwardly within the bore 11 and into engagement with the contact fingers 9 to engage the latter with each other. In order to hold gagement with each other, suitable means is employed. In this embodiment of my invention, a fusible strip 17 has one end secured to the outer end of the stem 13 by means of a hook 18 and the opposite end secured to the interconnecting member of the Ushaped frame 15 by means of a hook 19.

Located at the clerks desk of a hotel, rooming house or other structure to be protected is an annunciator mechanism 20 including indicating devices corresponding respectively to the circuit closing and signal mechanism in the various rooms of the structure. Disposed in proximity to the annunciator mechanism 20 is an alarm bell 21.

In practice, the battery 6, cut out switch 4:, lamp-"3, be'11'2, and contact fingers 9 of each circuit closing and signal mechanism are connected in series in an electric circuit 22 that also includes in series the particular indicator of the annunciator mechanism 20 and the bell 21, while connected in parallel in the circuit 22 around the contact fingers 9 is the emergency switch 5, of such circuit closing and signal mechanism. In the event of fire, the rising temperature melts the fusible strip 17, thereby releasing the stem 13 and plunger 12 and the spring 16 reacts to force the plunger 12 into engagement with the fingers 9, thereby engaging the latter with each other. As the out out switch f is closed, the circuit 22 is energized when the fingers 9 engage each other under the action of the plunger 12, thereby energizing the lamp 3, sounding the bells 2 and 21, and operating the particular indicating device of the annunciator mechanism 20. Should it be desired to close the circuit 22 manually, as in the event of the occupant of the room in which the signaling and circuit closing mechanism is installed detecting a fire, the emergency switch 5 is actuated to closed a flared channel at one end in which said contacts are disposed, a plunger in the bore of said block having a flange head engaging the wall of said channel so that the said block is limited in movement in one direction, a stem projection from said block, a disk closing said block and having an opening through which said stem projects and two openings near its periphery, an eye on said stem, a U-shaped frame having an inwardly extending offset formed on its cross position and having its side arms received in the openings of said disk, a coiled spring embracing said stems, bearing at one end against said disk, at its opposite end hearing against said plunger, and a fusible strip between the arms of said U-shaped frame and linked to said eye and offset respectively, said strip being of such a length that normally said spring is compressed thereby causing said flange head to abut the wall of said channel, and causing the arms of said frame to contact the rear side of said block, whereby the head is also spaced from said contact.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK A. LELLESS. JAMES M. NANGLE.

Witnesses:

WALTER Goon, HARRY L. Buss. 

